Setting the Records Straight: President Tinubu Is Committed to All Nigerians, Not Just Lagos

My attention has been drawn to an opinion piece written by Mr. Salihu Tanko Yakasai, titled “Emi Lokan or Lagos Lakon?”, in which he accuses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of favoring Lagos State to the detriment of other parts of the country, especially Kano. While I respect his right to express his views, I feel compelled to address the clear misrepresentations, political undertones, and misleading sentiments contained in his piece.

First, let me begin by stating emphatically: President Tinubu is not the President of Lagos; he is the democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His policies, projects, and appointments reflect the interests of the nation as a whole, not a region, not a tribe, and certainly not one city.

National Spread of Projects

The narrative that Lagos is the only beneficiary of President Tinubu’s administration is not only false but also misleading. Across the northern states—including Kano, Katsina, Borno, Sokoto, and Niger, massive federal projects are ongoing:

The Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway is receiving fresh attention and funding.

The Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road has resumed construction.

Borno State is witnessing renewed investments in power, housing, and rehabilitation projects for communities affected by insurgency.

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, a transformative economic project, is ongoing and holds immense promise for northern Nigeria’s industrial future.

The Renewed Hope Cities project in Kano is one of the largest in the country, targeting thousands of housing units.

Rehabilitation of dams, irrigation, and dry-season farming support in northern states is being implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources.

These are not “audio” approvals; they are real, verifiable projects. And more are coming, because this government is not driven by tribal or regional sentiments but by a vision of shared prosperity.

On the Accusation of Favoritism

Yes, Lagos, like Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt, commands significant infrastructure needs because of their national importance and economic impact. That said, other cities are not left out. We must stop promoting the idea that progress in Lagos automatically means regression for other regions. We are one country. Federal investment in any strategic economic hub benefits the country as a whole.

Moreover, Mr. Salihu Yakasai was conspicuously silent on such matters when his principal, former Kano Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was a major political player under Tinubu’s administration as APC national chairman.
One wonders why he has suddenly found his voice now that Ganduje has lost position and is facing serious allegations of corruption. If equity and justice are the principles he stands for, why was he mute then?

Let us be honest with ourselves, the stagnation of Kano is not because of President Tinubu. Rather, it is the result of years of mismanagement, poor leadership, and political self-interest that have characterized the stewardship of some of those now crying wolf. How can anyone blame the President when Kano’s own leaders failed to prioritize infrastructure, education, and innovation when they had the chance?

If truly Mr. Yakasai and his political family are interested in Kano’s development, they would spend more time lobbying and proposing viable projects for federal support, rather than penning provocative and politically motivated articles aimed at sowing division.

Ironically, if President Tinubu were favoring Lagos excessively, who is better positioned than Ganduje, former governor, party chairman, and political godfather of the author, to advise or remind the President of Kano’s needs? Instead, what we saw from Ganduje was a relentless pursuit of personal gain, appointments, contracts, and privileges, not legacy projects. It is well known that appointments were being shared among Ganduje’s family members while Kano’s development was an afterthought.

We welcome healthy criticism of the federal government indeed, that is the hallmark of democracy. However, we must draw the lines using falsehoods, selective memory, and sentimentalism to score cheap political points.

President Tinubu’s administration is committed to inclusiveness, equity, and national development. Kano remains a vital part of Nigeria and will not be left behind.

To those who want to exploit regional sentiments for political rehabilitation, I say: focus your energy on being part of the solution, not the noise.

Let us put Kano first, Nigeria first, and stop the politics of bitterness.
History will be kinder to us when we speak truth with responsibility, not propaganda with desperation.

Hon. Sadiq Ali Sango
APC Kano Youth Activist
August 3rd, 2025